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Enterprise Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022

Thursday, 7 April 2022

Ceisteanna (27, 44)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

27. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if new financial supports will be introduced in 2022 to assist in the development of enterprise centres in view of their importance in providing workspace for start-up businesses and small enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18757/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when improved financial supports will be available to develop enterprise centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18756/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 44 together.

To date, my Department has provided funding of €250 million administered by Enterprise Ireland to support the establishment of some 270 Enterprise Centres throughout Ireland, of which approximately 40 of these Centres were funded under the auspices of the Regional Enterprise Plans.

This investment has enabled the establishment of physical space for entrepreneurs, start-ups, scaling companies, SMEs and a balance of small scale FDI. This has enabled the delivery of enterprise relevant programmes to companies and the provision of physical spaces to support remote working.

Since 2017, Enterprise Ireland has administered Departmental funding to 91 projects totalling €16.4 million under both the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and the Community Enterprise Centres Schemes.

On 20 November 2020, €8.24 million in grants, administered through Enterprise Ireland, for 95 Enterprise Centres around the country was announced. This funding will ensure that these Enterprise Centres, many of which have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, can sustain their businesses, pivot and further develop their services, to continue to assist the development of our start-up companies.

Currently, an Enterprise Ireland open ‘Regional Development Feasibility Fund’ is available to promoters seeking to scope out and investigate the viability of larger full-scale projects such as remote working hubs. A feasibility grant of €15,000 or 50% of eligible costs, whichever is lesser, is available to qualifying applicants meeting the required criteria.

In addition, over the next 20 years, advances in digital technologies will transform the enterprise potential across the country, particularly in our smaller towns and rural areas. To maximise those opportunities, co-working spaces (or “eHubs”), are envisaged under Project Ireland 2040 as part of an ongoing suite of measures to encourage greater levels of collaboration between entrepreneurs in accessing available supports and assistance in helping to make their businesses grow.

There are a broad range of other hub-type facilities, both publicly and privately funded, around the country including Community Enterprise Centres and incubator/accelerators that are being considered by the National Hub Network Working Group in their mapping of a national network of remote working facilities. The Department of Rural and Community Development leads on this mapping initiative. The DCRD has invested significantly in remote working infrastructure & connectivity through the Broadband Connection Point Network initiative and a number of programmes and schemes including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Leader Programme.

In addition, the first allocation of €3 million in Budget 2022 was announced for the European Digital Innovation Hubs as part of the EU Digital Europe Programme which will provide, over time, a total of €13.4 million in funding to Ireland focused on bringing digital technology to businesses, SMEs, citizens and the public sector.

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